Alleged drug smugglers wounded, nabbed

TWO men were wounded in an exchange of fire between a group of alleged drug smugglers and police at Sialum in Tewai-Siassi, Morobe, a senior police official says.
The injured and three other suspects were arrested while trying to transport marijuana from Morobe into West New Britain (WNB).
Morobe police commander (PPC) Supt Alex N’Drasal said Finschhafen police acted on a tip-off and arrested the five at Kanjarua village in Sialum.
“These drug traffickers were trying to smuggle the drugs from Morobe to West New Britain by boat when police caught up with them,” Supt N’Drasal said.
He said there were seven smugglers and two escaped while the wounded were at Braun hospital and the other three had been detained at Gagidu police cell in Finschhafen.
The suspects would be appearing in court soon after police finalise their court files.
Supt N’Drasal said the suspects were alleged to have been heavily involved in marijuana trading between the provinces.
He said two suspects were local while the other three were from WNB.
Police confiscated homemade guns, marijuana and a banana boat.
Meanwhile, five men wanted for drug trafficking are in hiding in the Sialum area.
Police alleged that the men had been buying marijuana in the area for shipment to other provinces.
Supt N’Drasal said local police were searching for the men and expected to make arrests soon.